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Gelato vs Ice Cream: Manufacturing, Ingredients and Nutritional Facts

Delicious, rich, and creamy. Gelato and ice cream have captured the hearts and appetites of people worldwide. Yet, they are not identical. Read our Venchi blog to discover the key differences between them and start getting hungry.  

There's a little confusion between these icy treats. Why? Gelato is an Italian word that translates to ice cream in English. But the words are not interchangeable. Their ingredients, textures, and how they're created are all different. To simplify it, we can say that gelato is Italian, while ice cream has more of a long-standing love affair with America, where the first soft serve was actually invented.  

How do you choose between gelato and ice cream? Both can be exquisite desserts depending on the occasion, your tastes, and your diet. We'll look at all the details in our blog to help you make the right decision every time.  

If you really want to settle the debate of gelato vs ice cream, there's only one thing that must be done — a taste test. Enjoy!  

 

What Is Gelato? 

We have countless culinary wonders to thank the Italians for, and gelato is another glorious, world-acclaimed dessert to add to the list that originates from Italy.   

Gelato is a chilled sweet treat closely related to ice cream, yet it is different. What creates the magical explosion of richness in the mouth that comes with gelato? The unique way it's churned — very slowly so that less air infuses into the gelato.  

Artisanal gelato usually contains only milk, sugar, and a little cream. The higher the quality of the ingredients, the more delicate the taste.   

Suddenly, there's laughter in the air, and everything feels light and effervescent. What happened? Everyone's indulging in gelato, of course. Gelato is richer and silkier in texture than ice cream, and just one taste is pure bliss.  

When was gelato invented? The exact origins of ice cream are unknown, but this tasty treat is unquestionably Italian. A Sicilian fisherman, born in the 17th century, opened the first-ever gelateria in the world. It quickly became the talk of the town and a hotspot. A meeting place for the major artists and intellectuals of that time, reportedly even Napoleon stopped by for a visit. 

 

Gelato vs Ice Cream Manufacturing Process 

Rich, delicate flavors make gelato a crowd favorite, while creaminess is the ultimate attraction of ice cream. Where do these characteristics come from? The different manufacturing processes of gelato and ice cream. Let's discover all the essential details below.  

How is gelato made? With a batch churner that chills up to 10F and is located in the kitchen right next to the gelateria, where it's waiting for customers. It's churned very slowly so that less air is added to the gelato. That creates the dense and luscious flavor of gelato that people all over the world are in love with.  

Often gelato contains roughly 25-30% of air, while ice cream's ingredients include up to 50% of air. Adore the fluffiness of ice cream? It's because of the extra air that comes from the faster churning technique of ice cream.  

What's ice cream's manufacturing process? Unlike gelato, the way ice cream is made is more commercial, as it has to be stored for long periods of time in large quantities. After pasteurization, ice cream is placed in a deep-freezing tunnel where air (which can be as high as 100% of its weight) is churned into the ice cream. It helps keep it edible for longer.  

Air acts like an insulator in frozen foods. So, the greater the air content, the more it holds its temperature. This helps ice cream melt more slowly, as do the added preservatives.  

How gelato feels in the mouth is completely unique and cannot be copied by ice cream. What does that mean? Gelato will normally feel colder and melt more quickly as you eat it. Why? Gelato contains considerably less air than ice cream. It's actually a way to identify whether the gelato you're tasting is truly authentic: the real artisanal gelato will have a naturally colder taste and be a delightful experience.  

 

Ingredients in Gelato and Ice Cream 

Let's simplify the differences between gelato vs ice cream. Real ingredients are what sets gelato apart. Truly authentic gelato only uses fresh produce that tastes of Italy.  

Milk, cream, and sugar are found in top-quality gelato. While the ingredients in ice cream are right there in its name. Yes, there's plenty of cream as well as rehydrated powdered milk, preservatives, and sugar. Unlike gelato, which is created without any eggs, ice cream uses egg yolks as a stabilizer that also adds to the fat content.  

The proof is in the numbers and fat content. Gelato usually contains about 4-9% of fat, while ice cream, as per FDA guidelines, must have at least 10% of its calories coming from fat.  

Gelato can't be resisted for long. A blend of fresh ingredients, it's made to be eaten within a few days because authentic gelato is made without any additives or preservatives.  

The ingredients in ice cream make it taste more creamy, fluffy, and soft but also deliver extra calories. More milk and less cream are in gelato, creating a richer and thicker flavor.  

Other than the creamy richness of these gorgeous desserts, what makes taste buds come alive? The irresistible flavors are added to both gelato and ice cream. From heavenly chocolate to refreshing fruit puree and crunchy nuts, the flavors that can be infused into both desserts is endless.  

In what way do you serve ice cream and gelato? At slightly different temperatures, that create subtle changes in how powerful their flavors are. Usually, colder foods numb our palettes and don't allow us to identify as much flavor.  

Ice cream is served chilled and has more fat, making its flavors more invisible compared to gelato. Ice cream is ideal for simple, rich flavors, while understated, complex flavors shine through in gelato. 

Gelato and sorbet are also two very different desserts, although made with an array of ingredients that share some similarities. For more information about what makes gelato, sorbet and sherbet so different, browse our blog and discover the whole story.

 

Nutritional Values: Calories and Facts for Gelato vs Ice Cream 

Before we reveal the numbers, we'll fill you in on the key conclusions. In general, gelato has half the amount of calories as the same scoop of ice cream. Gelato is therefore the lighter of the two, since it has much less fat than its creamier alternative ice cream.  

Below is the nutritional value for 100ml of vanilla gelato:  

  • 117 kcal  

  • 5.3 g fat  

  • 15 g carbohydrates  

  • 2.5 g protein  

The nutritional value for 100ml of standard ice cream:  

  • 195 kcal  

  • 11.8 g fat 

  • 19.6 g carbohydrates  

  • 3.5 g protein 

 

Types of Gelato: Our Best Flavors 

Gelato is an Italian treat that delivers a flavor for every taste bud. At Venchi, we have over 90 original recipes that showcase the traditional and the unexpected. Our gelato is made fresh daily and still follows centuries-old techniques that ensure it remains as enticing and authentic as ever.  

There's a new, thrilling option to try for every day of Summer. Choose from popular Italian gelato flavors like Nougat, Pistachio, Lemon, and Raspberry. And who could forget chocolate? Our specialty. Or let yourself be surprised and spoil yourself with a brand-new recipe that is invented each month in-store.  

 

What To Serve With Gelato?  

If you're looking to intensify the delicious flavors of gelato, here's an easy tip to try at home that's authentically Italian.  

  1. Scoop cream or vanilla-flavored gelato into a chilled glass bowl.  

  1. With the back of a spoon, make a small indent into the gelato. 

  1. Next, pour a small drop of olive oil on top.  

  1. Decorate with a magical sprinkle of lemon zest and enjoy.  

 

Suddenly your creamy gelato will be transformed into an exquisite dessert with hints of shortcrust pastry coming through. It may be an unexpected combination at first glance, but the result is superb. The delicate peppery flavors of the olive oil balance well with the silky creaminess of the gelato.  

What can be served with gelato? While gelato is a superstar on its own, it can also be paired effortlessly with other food to create a more substantial dessert. You can always garnish gelato with fresh seasonal fruit. The vibrant flavors in blueberries and strawberries would be refreshing toppings.  

Gelato can be enjoyed all year round. We recommend topping with warm spiced apples or peaches for a wholesome and nurturing cold-weather treat. Or complement the smooth texture of gelato with the crunch of apple pie, a match made in food heaven.  

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